Fulham team
Fulham continued their disappointing run in the Premier League with a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Bournemouth on Saturday.
With only a single win from their first ten games in the Premier League, the Cottagers sit 18th in the standings and they will need to get their campaign back on track if they are to survive relegation this term.
Slavisa Jokanovic’s men overcame Millwall in the third round of the Carabao Cup but they will have a tough battle in their hands when they face Manchester City in the round of 16 encounter on Thursday.
Manchester City have already beaten the Cottagers once in the Premier League this season and they will be the strong favourites to progress to the last eight.
Kevin McDonald picked up two yellow cards against Bournemouth on Saturday and he will be suspended for the Carabao Cup tie. Joe Bryan continues his recovery from a thigh injury and is unlikely to feature on Thursday.
He was replaced by Sergio Rico for the game against Bournemouth but should return to the eleven for the Carabao Cup fixture.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah might be rested for the Premier League game on Monday and that would open the door for the Irishman to improve on his poor displays so far in the season.
He has looked comfortable in possession but hasn’t been able to deal with the flow of attacks. However, Jokanovic doesn’t have too many choices and should hope for him to improve.
He did not do too well as a right-back but is likely to flourish in his regular centre-back role.
He will have to play a key role in both halves if Fulham are to have any chance of upsetting Manchester City.
He did not start against Bournemouth but his strength and tackling is definitely an asset to the team in central midfield.
Warmed the bench against Bournemouth but will be expected to play an important role in the midfield on Thursday.
He came off the bench this weekend in the Premier League but the Cottagers will need his creativity in midfield when they face City.
He started in the Premier League this weekend. Strong and powerful in the final third, Fulham will need him to come good in the Carabao Cup.
The German has been in good form in the Premier League and has netted on four occasions. Fulham will need him to come up with something special on Thursday.
The Serbian will need to fire on all cylinders if Fulham are to have any realistic chance of putting up a fight.